Two full-time dentists will service Livingston County residents who are on Medicaid, uninsured or make a low-income.

The county has an agreement with My Community Dental Centers, Inc., which will operate a public dental clinic on behalf of the county's Department of Public Health. The county Board of Commissioners approved a resolution that includes a lease agreement on Tuesday night.

An eight-chair facility will be built-out in a vacant doctor's office at 1335 Byron Road in Howell, which St. Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital's parent company Trinity Health-Michigan essentially donated to the county for $1.

The exact out-of-pocket cost of services — like dental cleanings, fillings, dentures, crowns and emergency dental care — vary from person to person. Uninsured individuals could sign up for a Michigan Community Dental Plan for a one-time $50 charge, which covers one oral exam and X-rays at no additional charge and provides additional services at reduced rates.

After it gets up and running, the clinic will be open five days a week, and some evening and Saturday appointment times may be added down the line, depending on demand, Livingston County Department of Public Health Director Diane McCormick said. She also noted that it may start out with fewer days and hours, as any start-up might.

The goal is to start construction in September.

An "intensive remodeling" of the building will be necessary, McCormick said, also saying that the plan is to completely gut the inside and start fresh, and there would some exterior and roof remodeling.

The non-profit dental company will pay the county $4,479.17 per month in base rent for 20 years. After that time is up, there will be an option to renew the agreement for another 10 years. The rental agreement will help pay back the county's investment to launch the clinic.

County officials set aside $1.35 million in a construction fund. The county received the funds from the now defunct Livingston Health Plan, which previously provided medical coverage to low-income and uninsured individuals. It ceased Dec. 31, 2014.

The hospital also donated $80,000 to the construction project.

Lindhout and Associates architects are working on the design of the building.

Patterson Dental will supply dental equipment and set it up.

County officials have been working on bringing the public dental clinic to town for a couple years. Finalizing the agreement with My Community Dental, Inc. is "the last big piece of the puzzle," McCormick said.

Contact Livingston Daily county and townships reporter Jennifer Eberbach at 517-548-7148 or at jeberbach@livingstondaily.com.